From the bestselling author of Wish Me Home comes a breathtaking novel about the secrets that families keep and one woman’s illuminating search for the truth.
Quinn Maguire has a stable life, a fiancé, and what she thinks is a clear vision for her future. All of that comes undone by her mother’s deathbed confession—the absentee father Quinn spent thirty years resenting is not her real father at … not her real father at all. With that one revealing whisper, Quinn embarks on a journey to Maui, her mother’s childhood home, a storied paradise that holds the truth about her mother’s past and all its secrets Quinn is determined to uncover.
But settling on the island has its complications, and with the fiancé she left behind questioning every choice she makes, Quinn’s quest for her truth is even more difficult than she expected. As time passes and she digs deeper into her family history and her own identity, one thing becomes clear: Maui is as beautiful as she’d always imagined, and its magic is helping uncover the woman that Quinn was always meant to be.
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Oh, how I loved this story!
Let me start by saying that I have long been a fan of Kay Bratt’s writing, and have read every one of her books. True is Me is so very different than any of her others. Set in Hawaii, though I have never been, I felt as though I was experiencing the beauty, lifestyle, traditions, and culture of Maui. I fell in love with the main characters in the story, and came to care about the outcomes of each of them. What I liked most about this book is the fact that family is who we love and who loves us, and that we can have deep, loving relationships with our family of choice. Quinn, the central character in True to Me, uncovers some tightly kept family secrets after her mother delivers a hint just before she dies. The mystery involved kept me turning pages long into the night, and I was rewarded with a beautiful saga, rich with deep emotion, that had me shedding silent tears in one of the last scenes. I highly recommend reading True to Me by Kay Bratt.
I received a pre-publication copy to read in exchange for my honest review.
Kay Bratt is one of my favorite writers, and True to Me is definitely in my top 3 books of hers. The storyline captivated me from the very first page, and the characters are so well written that it seemed like I was right there, experiencing everything with them. The ending is great as well – it’s always satisfying when all of the different plots have closure in the end. I can’t wait to see what this author writes next!
Kay Bratt, author of “True to Me” has written an intriguing, captivating, emotional and magical novel. The story takes place mostly on Maui, and the timeline for the story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or the events. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Romance, and a touch of Magic. The author describes the characters as mostly likable, complex and complicated.
The main themes in this novel are family secrets, forgiveness, and second chances. I also appreciate that the author discusses the importance of family, friends, neighbors, love, and hope.
Quinn Maguire finds out on her mother’s death bed, that the man she thought was her father that abandoned her wasn’t. Quinn also has her mother’s ashes and is bringing them to Maui, where her mother’s childhood home was. Quinn is hoping that she can uncover secrets and discover the truth about her life. On the island, Quinn starts to feel the magic and meets interesting people. Is it possible that Quinn will learn who she really is?
I would highly recommend this entertaining and thought-provoking and emotional novel.
This book came with very high praises so I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy from Netgalley. Thank you, it did not disappoint!
Being True to ourselves is so important. This story tells of the heartaches and joys of a young lady who is learning who she was/is/wants to be. I’m looking forward to finding out more about Quinn and her new friends.
I’ve read several books by this author and am looking forward to more.
Let me start by saying that I have yet to read a book by Kay Bratt that I have not loved.
The setting of this book, in Maui, makes one feel as though you are right there with Quinn.
This book follows Quinn’s story. She has recently lost her mom and while on her deathbed, her mother reveals that the man whom Quinn thought was her father is not! To better understand and process this information, Quinn is on a quest to find the truth, to find her father. It all starts with a DNA test that leads her back to Hawaii, where her mother was born.
It is during this trip to Hawaii that Quinn has time to reflect and find her true self. It is during this time that she allows herself time to reflect on the relationship she has with Ethan, her fiancé, she allows herself time to mourn the loss of her mother, it allows herself time to reflect on who she is. Is Ethan the right man for her, does he make her happy? This time of reflection opens doors, starts new friendships, helps to renew an old friendship and helps Quinn to heal and truly find herself and where she came from.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Beautiful story …Quinn’s mom has just died and book takes us on her journey to Maui to learn who where her Mother was from and who her Dad was. She learns a lot of old secrets but in her search also finds herself. Great book, quick read started last night and finished today. Highly recommend to all.
This ARC was given to me by Kay Bratt and this review is totally my opinion.
The very first page of this book is captivating. You will not want to put it down! Such an interesting twist and so heartwarming. Setting is in paradise so what is not to like? The ending will have you reaching for your kleenexes. Make sure to put this one on your wish list.
As Christians we know that we are to be true to who God created us to be; if we accomplish that we are being true to ourselves as well. How often do we allow ourselves to be shaped in the image of who someone else says we should be? Parents, spouses, significant others, even friends may set up expectations for how we should live our lives. Some of that may truly be good, but are we cognizant of when boundaries are breached? If so, do we allow that to occur, or do we reestablish those boundaries? Traveling along with Quinn Maguire as she discovers her true self may help readers explore such questions. Quinn’s story is compelling.
While I most often review Christian fiction, I did enjoy this secular, contemporary tale. Kay Bratt’s works are always fully engaging, and transport me into the characters’ world. They give me pause to contemplate some of the social and personal issues of our day. True to Me is no exception. I am very grateful to have received a copy from the author and Lake Union Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.
Kay Bratt’s talent in character development really shines in this incredible book. A story that grabbed ahold of me from the first few pages and never disappointed. I now have a desire to visit Maui, and to experience the beauty that Kay depicts. True to Me kept me clinging to each chapter as Quinn searched for answers about her family and discovered her own inner strength to live “pono”. It left me yearning for more.
Quinn and Ethan have been together for ten years. When Quinn’s mother passes, Quinn leaves for Maui to fulfill her mother’s final wishes. Along the way, Quinn discovers much about herself – including an inner strength she didn’t know she had.
Ms. Bratt does an excellent job of making the characters in this book relatable, especially to those of us who have had less than perfect relationships.
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.
True to Me was truly a delight to read. The story is set mostly in Hawaii. As I read, I felt myself craving Kona coffee and the salty air of sandy beaches. In learning about the traditions of the Hawaiian culture, Quinn learns to see herself for who she is, rather than who others see her to be. For years she lived up to the image of her long-time boyfriend, causing her to lose contact with her childhood friend, while in Hawaii, Quinn finds herself longing for that true friendship and working to reconnect with Maggie. Quinn uncovers some stunning family surprises that give her a whole new view of who she is. The cast of characters that Quinn meets through in this story are memorable and realistic. I hope we are reunited with some of them in future stories! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I love to read, but with a busy schedule with my kids, I need a book that is easy to dive into and Kay Bratt’s “True to Me” hit it home! I started reading and didn’t want to stop! I was easily able to connect with the lead character and wished I could have joined her in Maui! I loved this story and I loved all the characters! I can’t wait to read more about Quinn and her ohana in the books to come! Many thanks to Kay, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have always wanted to visit Hawaii, unable to but then a book took me there I thoroughly enjoy the books by Kay Bratt and this was no exception. She sets the pace, makes it easy to know the characters, and ends with an easy to read VERY enjoyable book. Quinn is placed in a difficult situation after her Mother tells her a secret on her deathbed. The secret leads Quinn to Hawaii, leaving behind a fiancé whose questions only add to all the trama on the Island. Can Quinn find herself back to who she really is and wants. True To Me reminded me of one thing my Dad taught me…To Thine Own Self Be True. Read this great, easy read, well worded novel and enjoy the time spent with all the characters.
I love books that take me to real places I’ve never been. I love hearing about the customs, the language, the people. This one takes me to Maui, where family is important, as is finding the truth about your family, which is what this story is about. Along the way, the characters join up with old friends, and make new ones. They learn things about themselves, and others, they didn’t expect, which changes future paths they take. Throw in some mystery, a hint of romance, and a relatable lead character and you have the makings for quite an enjoyable book.
A very good story about a girl trying to find who her father is! This book sucked me in from page one! It was so good I read it in one afternoon! If you haven’t read a book by this author, you need to run to the nearest bookstore or better yet preorder this one! It’s book one in a series and I can’t wait to read the next one!! Loved the characters and the story! Definitely recommend! Thanks to Netgalley,Lake Union Publishers and the author for this early copy
True to Me (A By the Sea Novel) by Kay Bratt
Just finished this amazing book and I can honestly say it was amazing! I couldn’t put it down – in fact, I finished reading it in the middle of the night because I couldn’t stop reading!
This is a heartwarming story of Quinn and how her life is turned upside down when her Mother passes away and reveals her Father is not her biological parent. That is all she says …
You learn about acceptance, love, forgiveness, kindness and even some Hawaiian words!
A great read from a great author – highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
#truetome #netgalley
True to Me is the first book I have read by author Kay Bratt. This was such a heartwarming story of forgiveness, secrets that had been kept for years and a young woman’s journey in finding out who she really is.
Once I sat down to read I didn’t put the book down until the very end.
I found myself totally engrossed in the story and the descriptions of Maui had me seeing the beauty of the island.
Loved the book!
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.
True to Me follows Quinn McGuire in her quest to find her true self. This beautifully written novel is set on the tropical island of Maui where Quinn seeks to find her father, a man she didn’t know existed until her mother’s deathbed confession. I loved everything about this book from the Hawaiian language to the family traditions practiced on the island. I was so surprised as the story began to come together at the end. I honestly couldn’t have predicted the outcome! I hope you will read True to Me and I hope you love it as much as I did. Five Shining Stars! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.
This is a heartwarming story of long kept secrets, forgiveness, amd a young womans journey to find herself. The descriptions are beautiful amd the characters are relatable.
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Kay Bratt for the Advanced Readers Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own
What a beautiful story!
It’s the story of Quinn, a young woman who has recently lost her mother, the only family she has ever known. But on her deathbed, her mother reveals that the person Quinn thought was her father was not really really her father. So Quinn sets out on a journey to find her true father, carrying her to her mother’s home in Maui.
Quinn’s search for her family unfolds in surprising ways, and in the process, she discovers who she really is as well.
The story is beautifully written, and although I’ve never physically been to Hawaii, now it seems as though I have. The book transports the reader to the island of Maui with vivid descriptions of the land and the people. As a bonus, I found out the author intends to write more books in this series! Yay!